Method of cleaning textile fabrics

ABSTRACT

Textile fabrics such as carpet, upholstery and the like are cleaned by a method which includes spraying a solution of hot water and detergent from a predetermined distance, at a predetermined pressure and at a predetermined flow rate against the fabric to be cleaned while simultaneously withdrawing the solution and soil from an adjacent portion of the fabric. Specific relationships for the various parameters defining this invention are stated hereinafter.

[ May 13, 1975 3,663,984 5/1972 Anthony et 3,711,891 1/1973 Conway.............n.i,, 3,747,155 7/1973 Koellisch l l METHOD OF CLEANING TEXTILE FABRICS Inventors:

[75] Donald G. Emrick, Fort Lauderdale;

Joseph H. Christian; Robert M.

Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite both of Ralelgh of Assistant Examiner-{l K. Moore U.S. Floor Systems, Inc., Raleigh,

Attorney, Agent, or FirmParrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [73} Assignee:

221 Filed: June 21, 1973 Appl. NOJ 372,201

ABSTRACT Textile fabrics such as carpet, upholstery and the like predetermined flow rate against the fabric to be 2M 2 3 9 /7 Ill. 1 L48 2 2 m E 5 0 0 H 5 7 H 0 8 U2 H3 H5 mmh c uur Ha r e S I hf ca .M e nal UIF film 555 [ll cleaned while simultaneously withdrawing the solution and soil from an adjacent portion of the fabric. Spe- Reierences Cited cific relationships for the various parameters defining UNITED STATES PATENTS this invention are stated hereinafter.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 3,614,797 Jones 15/321 X METHOD OF CLEANING TEXTILE FABRICS In place cleaning of a textile fabric such as carpet. upholstery and the like which has the capability of withdrawing soil from the fabric has long been recognized as a desirable method of cleaning. Heretofore. attempts at commercial realization of such processes have resulted in the development of apparatus which spray or otherwise discharge vapor or liquid solutions against fabrics to be cleaned and subsequently subject the fabric to be cleaned to a vacuum. While such apparatus and processes have achieved some success as being more desirable than prior practices. certain deficiences in such processes as heretofore proposed have been noted.

In particular, subjection of textile fabrics such as carpet. upholstery and the like to moisture in the form of vapor or liquid solutions is known to have adverse effects on such fabrics under certain circumstances. For example, processes which permit vapor or liquid solutions to remain in contact with the textile fabric for excessive periods of time may bleach the fabrics or otherwise disturb the coloration characteristics of the fabric. Permitting vapor or liquid solution to remain on the textile fabric for an excessive period of time will have the result of carrying soil into the underlying ground warp or pad of a carpet. Further, if the vapor or liquid solution applied to the fabric is permitted to dry, removal of the soil by means of extraction of the solution is rendered impossible.

The converse difficulties encountered in the event that an insufficiently long period of time is permitted lie in failure to adequately clean the textile fabric. Such failure results from allowing insufficient time for the vapor or solution to loosen soil and prepare the soil for vacuum removal.

Having in mind the difficulties encountered heretofore, it is an object of this invention to accomplish the cleaning of textile fabric such as carpet. upholstery and the like. in accordance with a method which balances the desired accomplishment of soil removal against the time required for cleaning in such a manner as to maximize soil removal while minimizing the time required. In accomplishing this object of the present invention, a solution of hot water and detergent is sprayed in a predetermined zone and against fabric to be cleaned under particularly designated conditions. At the same time. air is drawn through the fabric under predeter mined conditions and in predetermined spaced relation to the location of spraying. With the fabric and the zones of spraying and withdrawal being displaced one relative to the other, areas of the fabric are subjected in closely following sequence to spraying and withdrawal of solution and soil. Due to the particular relationships established between these steps of the process, soil removal is maximized while time required for cleaning is minimized.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for the practice of the method of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view from a side of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view from one end of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevation view of a spraying and vacuum head for the apparatus of FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view from the side of the head of FIG. 4. illustrating certain relationships important in the practice of the method of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a view from below of the head of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevation view. in section, through a spray nozzle incorporated in the head of FIGS. 4-6, taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 6 showing an individual spray nozzle incorporated into the head of FIGS. 4-6.

While the present invention will be disclosed hereinafter by particular reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood at the outset that the following description and the accompanying drawings are presented solely for purposes of illustrating the we ferred embodiment of this invention. It is contemplated that the method of this invention may be practiced by apparatus other than that illustrated and described, and for that reason, the disclosure of this application is to be taken broadly rather than restrictively.

In practicing the method of this invention, a solution is prepared of hot water and a suitable detergent. This solution is preferably prepared by pouring hot water into a tank or reservoir 10 contained within and forming a part of a mobile apparatus generally indicated at 11 (FIGS. 1-3). Subsequent to preparation of the solution of hot water and detergent. such solution is pumped from the tank or reservoir 10 by means of a pump contained within the apparatus (and indicated in phantom lines in FIGS. 2 and 3). The pumped solution of hot water and detergent is delivered through a suitable conduit 12 to a spray manifold 14 which forms a portion of a cleaning head generally indicated at 15 (and shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4-6).

In accordance with important features of this invention, the pump within the apparatus II has the capability of delivering pumped solution at a pressure in the range from about 22 to about 30 pounds per square inch and at a flow rate in the range of from about threefourths to about 1% gallons per minute. As will be pointed out more fully hereinafter, these parameters or conditions are among those which are critical to achieving the particularly favorable results of this invention.

As is best illustrated in the enlarged detail views of the head 15 (FIGS. 4-8). the spray manifold 14 extends widthwise of the head for a predetermined distance and has a plurality ofspray nozzles 16 mounted thereon. In an operating embodiment of this invention. the spray nozzles are No. 8004 as manufactured by Spraying Systems, Inc. of Wheaton. Illinois. The plurality of such nozzles 16 mounted on the manifold 14 are arranged to spray in an overlapping pattern of a predetermined width and are mounted so as to be spaced from the surface of the textile fabric to be cleaned (indicated by the line F in FIG. 5) at a distance in the range of from about 1% to about 2% inches (the distance A in FIG. 5). This spatial relationship, together with the parame ters or conditions of pressure and flow rate, assures impingement of sprayed solution of hot water and detergent against fabric to be cleaned in a predetermined zone or area. It has been discovered that impingement under the conditions herein described as critical maximizes the cleaning effect which results when operation is in accordance with the other characterizing features of this invention and is believed to result. at least in part from a penetration ofthe solution into the textile fabric to be cleaned which is coordinated with the withdrawal of solution and soil as pointed out more fully hereinaf ter.

Simultaneously with the pumping of the solution, a vacuum fan within the apparatus 11 (indicated by phantom lines in FIGS. 2 and 3] draws air through a vacuum conduit 18 and through a vacuum opening 19 provided in the cleaning head 15 (-FlGS. S and 6). Thus, air is drawn through the fabric to be cleaned in a predetermined zone defined by the vacuum opening 19. This zone is spaced from the spraying zone at a distance in a range of from about l% to about 2% inches (the distance in FIG. which is also a critical dimension in accordance with this invention. Preferably, the dimensions of the opening [9 into which air is drawn are such that the opening has a transverse width in the range of from about three-eighths inch to about onefourth inch and an elongate dimension in the range of from about 9 inches to about It) inches. The elongate dimension of the zone through which air is thus drawn preferably is substantially the same as the elongate dimension of the zone into which solution is sprayed.

In accordance with this invention the vacuum fan operatively connected with the conduit 18 and the opening 19 is such as to have a lift. with the opening 19 sealed in the range of from about lit) to about 120 inches of water.

in practicing the method of this invention, the fabric to be cleaned and the zones into which solution is sprayed and from which air is drawn are moved one relative to the other for subjecting areas of the fabric to spraying and withdrawal in closely following sequence. In using the apparatus illustrated in the drawings. such relative movement is accomplished by drawing the cleaning head across carpet toward an operator. through the use of a rigid portion 20 of the vacuum conduit This practice is similar to the operation of conventional commercial vacuum cleaners. As the cleaning head 15 is pulled toward an operator (as toward the left in FIG 1 or the right in FIG, 5), solution delivered through the conduit 12 passes through the spray nozzles l6 and is sprayed against the fabric. In closely following sequence, the solution and soil are withdrawn from the fabric into the vacuum conduit 18. Due to the critical relationships and parameters or conditions described hercinabove. cleaning of the fabric is maximized while adverse effects on the fabric are minimized.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention. and al though specific terms are employed. they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

l. A method of cleaning textile fabric such as carpet, upholstery and the like wherein cleaning of the fabric is maximized while adverse effects on the fabric are minimized due to operation within optimal parameters, the method comprising the steps of:

spraying a solution of hot water and detergent in a predetermined zone and against fabric to be cleaned from a distance of about 2 inches and at a pressure of about 26 pounds per square inch and at a flow rate of about one gallon per minute. while drawing air through the fabric in a predetermined zone spaced from the spraying zone at a distance of about 2 inches and withdrawing the solution and soil from the fabric into a vacuum conduit having a sealed orifice lift of about US inches of water.

2. A method of cleaning textile fabric such as carpet. upholstery and the like wherein cleaning of the fabric is maximized while adverse effects on the fabric are minimized due to operation within optimal parameters. the method comprising the steps of:

preparing a solution of hot water and detergent. then spraying the solution in a predetermined zone and against fabric to be cleaned from a distance in the range of from about l% to about 2% inches and at a pressure in the range of from about 22 to about 30 pounds per square inch and at a flow rate in the range offrom about three-quarter to about one and one-quarter gallons per minute, while drawing air through the fabric in a predetermined zone spaced from the spraying zone at a distance in the range of from about 1% to about 2% inches and withdrawing the solution and soil from the fabric into a vacuum conduit having a sealed orifice lift in the range of from about one hundred ten to about one hundred twenty inches of water, then displacing the fabric and the zones one relative to the other for subjecting areas of the fabric to spraying and withdrawal in closely following sequence.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of moving the zones across the fabric to be cleaned and spraying the fabric in advance of the with drawing zone for subjecting areas of the fabric to spraying and withdrawal in closely following sequence.

* l l l= 

1. A METHOD OF CLEANING TEXTILE FABRIC SUCH AS CARPET, UPHOLSTERY AND THE LIKE WHEREIN CLEANING OF THE FABRIC IS MAXIMIZED WHILE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE FABRIC ARE MINIMIZED DUE TO OPERATION WITHIN OPTIMAL PARAMETERS, THE METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: SPRAYING A SOLUTION OF HOT WATER AND DETERGENT IN A PREDETERMINED ZONE AND AGAINST FABRIC TO BE CLEANED FROM A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 2 INCHES AND AT A PRESSURE OF ABOUT 26 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH AND AT A FLOW RATE OF ABOUT ONE GALLON PER MINUTE, WHILE DRAWING AIR THROUGH THE FABRIC IN A PREDETERMINED ZONE SPACED FROM THE SPRAYING ZONE AT A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 2 INCHES AND WITHDRAWING THE SOLUTION AND SOIL FROM THE FABRIC INTO A VACUUM CONDUIT HAVING A SEALED ORIFICE LIFT OF ABOUT 115 INCHES OF WATER.
 2. A method of cleaning textile fabric such as carpet, upholstery and the like wherein cleaning of the fabric is maximized while adverse effects on the fabric are minimized due to operation within optimal parameters, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a solution of hot water and detergent, then, spraying the solution in a predetermined zone and against fabric to be cleaned from a distance in the range of from about 1 3/4 to about 2 1/4 inches and at a pressure in the range of from about 22 to about 30 pounds per square inch and at a flow rate in the range of from about three-quarter to about one and one-quarter gallons per minute, while drawing air through the fabric in a predetermined zone spaced from the spraying zone at a distance in the range of from about 1 3/4 to about 2 1/4 inches and withdrawing the solution and soil from the fabric into a vacuum conduit having a sealed orifice lift in the range of from about one hundred ten to about one hundred twenty inches of water, then displacing the fabric and the zones one relative to the other for subjecting areas of the fabric to spraying and withdrawal in closely following sequence.
 3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of moving the zones across the fabric to be cleaned and spraying the fabric in advance of the withdrawing zone for subjecting areas of the fabric to spraying and withdrawal in closely following sequence. 